Clarity and lack there of!

I feel like I have greatly improved in the area of confidence!  That is no small feat, as I now find myself willing to attempt a function on the computer without freaking out!  I'm not speedy, but I can typically figure out what I need to do.  My terminology has improved and I am thinking about my work in a new way.  How can I create a more interesting presentation, a better flyer, make suggestions for our website, etc.  Much like the struggle I have with math, I have found the more you do something, the better you get!!!

The murk is remembering where to find the answers!!  I get confused about what resources are in the various programs.  Where did we create the great story with pictures (photostory, silly!) And audicity is a product of....?  I believe the blog Mike has created will be a great resource for these issues.

There are still things I struggle with on my Mac.  I can post onto my own blog, but every time I have trouble responding to my classmates.  So, I just do that piece when I can access a P.

Overall, I've learned a lot.  I feel like Marylhurst is doing a great job of dedicating a team to develop the learning outcomes for computer literacy.  And we will have access to all they discover through the blog that will grow with that learning.  

LAC 172 - GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT(s)

I'm most excited about my new ability with Powerpoint and the other creative applications we've learned in LAC 172. I've been intimated with presentations in the past, and now I know I can put something together that will be pleasant to watch.   Photostory, Storybird, Audicity, were all programs I had never heard of before this class and I feel like I did a good job with these new learnings.  I really loved Storybird and see myself doing that with the children in my life.  And today was WAY fun with iMovie, which I've been wanting to play with but couldn't justify the time to do so.  I sent my little movie to friends who loved it.  I'm sure I'll use it again as it's less limiting then Powerpoint. 

On a more practical note, I think it's a new awareness of what to look for in websites used for research.  I feel a teeny bit more savvy, although I know I have much more to learn.  I feel more comfortable with technology in general and have a new ability to problem solve on my own instead of calling the techie in the office to come help! 

Good class, right???

Learning Outcomes.....Oh My!!!

I remember when I registered for this class I held a two-fold goal.  One, to achieve the computer literacy requirement for Marylhurst and two, to finally become proficient enough to stop screaming at my computer when I couldn't figure out how to make it do what I wanted it to do.  I believe the learning outcome used as a conversation starter this week speaks of proficiency necessary to be self-sufficient in the classroom and workplace.  I wouldn't add or remove anything.
I can say I have made great strides since the beginning of January.   At work we have a fairly new Enfocus machine and a really old laptop to accompany it.  Typically I yell for help after ten minutes.  But this week I was able to stick with it and figure out the technical issue I was facing.  I even left it set up so the next person wouldn't have to struggle so much.  NICE, RIGHT????   I'm not ready to quit school and look for a computer analyst position, but I'm not afraid to try.  The learning outcome seems so HUGE, but when read carefully, it is an accurate proposal for graduates of Marylhurst.

LET'S STAY OPEN!!!

Two Sites Open at once

Sometimes I have so many things open on my computer I don't know what is what and I end up closing something I really need.  Hence the link here.  The video tells us dummies how to embed a video into powerpoint.  We'll be so smart, won't we?????

Technology's ups and downs

We live in interesting times.  Technology allows us to stay in touch easily with friends and loved ones living near and far.  We can shop at 3:00 a.m. and pay bills at the click of a button.  We might have 500+ friends on facebook that we can un-friend when they upset us! The world is at our fingertips as we can virtually access any information we desire.   We are lucky to have computers that make writing a 10 page paper so much easier then the typewriters of the past.  In all, technology helps us streamline many of our daily tasks.
But what about the human connection?  How many times have you had dinner with a friend when their cell phone rings and they take a call leaving you to enjoy your spinach salad alone? Phones are like mini computers that never leave our sight.   It seems as though the only personal mail I receive these days is the occasional greeting card and wedding invitation.  I can't remember the last personal letter I received.  Or the last one I wrote. Are we losing the fine art of hand written communication that is saved for decades in ribbon wrapped packages? Email can be wonderful, but it can also lead to misunderstanding and confusion as tone is mis-read when ALL CAPS or emoticons are used to help define an emotion.  I also find myself really irritated when a phone malfunctions or cable isn't working properly.  We have become so dependent, we can't turn on the TV without a remote control!  If the question is:  does technology enhance our lives or detach us from distraction free human connection?  I would say the answer is YES!!!

Teaching and Technology

I have been taking classes at Marylhurst for 1 1/2 years, full time since September.  I have taken on-line classes, hybrid classes and traditional classes and I have to admit, the classes I enjoy the most are traditional.  Some of those have been taught by techno savvy instructor's who utilize the web and PowerPoint to enrich the learning  experience.  And I have experienced teachers who know less than I do about technology!!!  The class I plan to use the PowerPoint presentation assignment from this class for is taught by someone who isn't so savvy.  But he is open to allowing me to do my presentation using technology as long as I can figure it out!!  So much of what I learn, I learn from my classmates and the on-line relationships feels forced to me.  I have had one really good experience and the rest of the on-line classes had me celebrating with a glass of wine when it was over!!!

Perhaps the skills I'm developing in this class will change my attitude and thus my experiences with on-line learning.  I know if I stay at Marylhurst I will be engaging in this style of learning many more times. Want to have coffee on line some time?????????


 

CREATIVITY

This week's topic had me pondering about my own creativity.  I am a creative thinker, but I have a team of accomplished friends, co-workers, and family members who help me bring my thoughts to fruition.  I am not artistic, but I am a creative cook and I think my house is put together in a creative way.  The you tube presentation struck me because the guy speaking did not stereotypically go alone with the content!  CREATIVITY WITH TECHNOLOGY FOR ME IS IN THE INFANCY STAGE, but I'M LEARNING!!!!


Picture taken in Vancouver BC Winter Olympics, 2010.